dear freinds, one of the solace i have in chidambaram is that i live just along side with a 2000 year old living civilisation. the historic places i see casually over the place i wlk about is amazing.
the manikavasakar parnasalai in the north east corner of the temple is also called thillai thiruperundhurai. this is the place vasakar lived to his last breath. after his death he was declared to have acheived moksha by mixing with the chitsabai.
it is widely beleived by scholars here that his body was burried seceretly in th vicinity or this small temple. some say it could well be right beneath the lingam( athmanatha -avudaiyar).
the temple and the sorrounding are encroached by living quarters and the place as such is barely surviving.
the point is the mortal remains could be salvaged if systematic excavations and forensic analysis is done in the manner the mummys of egypt are analysed. the national geographic team are doing excellant job there. but we have very poor facilities. if any private agencies are showing interest manikavasakar remains could be rescued.
Query 2 :: Thirumoolar and Thiruvavaduthurai connections...
Then it is to be established that Thirumoolar actually initiated Chidambaram..
Re Manickavasagar - Period.. Lot of Variables..
Several acredit him to 8th / 9th Century range.
We agree that the extensive renovation by Kulothunga & his heirs removed old traces of the temple and we are left with only literary materials to support most of the postulates..
Manickavasagar tomb is interesting detail from you..
Re 2000 Yr old civilisation :: PUHAR @ Kaviripoompatinam, Thiruvengadu, Srirangam, Thiruvengadam, Rameswaram, Madurai and Vanchi .. a selective few acknowledged.
Let us look for more supports to Chimdambaram too.